{year in review}

2013! What a year it was. Here's a recap of all that happened...

In January I moved to Los Angeles! I spent my final semester taking my last two courses & started my internship at the Dr. Phil Show.

In February I posted a few recipes, sent homemade valentines, put together some Pinterest-inspired outfits, & did my first photoshoot with a real model!

March was a busy month. I flew to San Francisco and met up with my sister and two friends before going down to Newport Beach. It was the perfect girls trip! I also dyed Easter eggs and shared my favorite gluten-free spots in CA.

In April I celebrated Lively Liv's first "official" blogiversary! I also wrote a post about what I missed from home, the Boston bombings, and silkscreened some mugs. At the end of the month, I said goodbye to LA, my DP team, & headed home to spring flowers!

May was a slow blog month, but I introduced OAM Photo + Design, took a quick trip to DC, wrote a final post on LA, & GRADUATED!

Another quiet blogging month, but in June I helped my sister decorate her NYC apartment, became obsessed with watercolor, & took some pictures of our garden.

In July I was crafty :) I transformed a table with wallpaper, painted some t-shirts for a girl's weekend at the beach, & started my armoire makeover.

In August I travelled to Watercolor, Florida for an unforgettable family reunion, where I made an oyster shell mirror & beachy art. I also learned so so much at BlogShop NY, wrote a post on being the Girl Who Doesn't Drink, & celebrated my 22nd birthday!

In September I went out to San Fran for some interviews, posted a few work outfits, & beaded bracelets with my grandma. The end of the month was crazy exciting…I accepted a job offer!

In October I said my Boston goodbyes, moved to SF, & shared my vintage armoire makeover {part I, II, III}. In my new city I ran into Katie Couric, took photos of my temporary neighborhood, had a true San Francisco weekend, & experienced a Craigslist nightmare.

In November, I wrote about my amazing brothers, went on my first work trip to LA, painted faux opaline glass, & spent Thanksgiving in Newport Beach with my grandparents.

In December I barely blogged! But I shared a Thanksgiving recap & recipe, posted a few gift guides, moved into my apartment, & came home for the holidays.

This year was one for the books. I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for me!

Thanks again to all of you who read Lively Liv :)

Have a wonderful New Year!

{five things on friday}

::dusts off blog::

Hey there!

Sorry about the blog silence. These weeks have been busy! I have lots to update on.

1) I hope you enjoyed the gift guides! I had big plans to do more--like for sisters, brothers, & kids to name a few--but considering I couldn't figure out what to buy my sisters, brothers, and little kid cousins...it was taking longer than I thought. And speaking of buying presents...anyone else not done? Ahh! I'm a little stressed about it, to be honest. I have ideas...it's the going out & purchasing part that is not going well for me ;)

2) I moved! Yup, you heard me. I finally found a great place, signed the dotted line, & moved in. And yeah, it's gorgeous. For this interior-design-loving gal, this place is GOLD. Literally.

But my room, you guys! It's looking a little sad. It's just a dresser & a bed. Also, my quilt is the exact same shade of beige as the wall color, so when I'm in bed, I literally feel like the off-white version of this:

So that needs to change soon. 

I'll write more about my grand plans for the room shortly, all of which includes painting, an awesome frame wall, & maybe a hand-built headboard. 

3) I am so in the holiday mode it's not even funny. I can't believe it's five days away!!

4) I'm pretty much loving life here in good ol' San Francisco. That's not to say it's been 100% smooth though. The first two weeks of December were a little rocky. I was floating along, feeling like I'd totally rocked this major life change & then BAM! Homesickness hit. I think moving into my own place made the whole "move across the country" thing set in stone a little more, so I was kind of an emotional mess. There were a few tearful calls home. But that passed :)

My job continues to be the best thing ever. Our holiday party was last Friday, & my company showed a video montage of this year's work. I won't lie--I welled up. Still pinching myself & feeling so, so blessed & grateful to work for such an iconic, talented agency. 

5) I go home tomorrow! I.can't.wait. It's been too long since I've seen my mom, & stepdad, & Madison, & Colton, & dad, & sibs, & DOG. I miss our dog. But you know who I can't wait to see the most?  Yeah, totally hating the fact that it's been 4 months since I've seen Dylan. I mean...way back in September!  We will reunite in NYC on Monday, so if you hear screaming, it's probably us.

I'll do a photo recap of the past few weeks this weekend. Still haven't taken out my camera all that much, but for once? I'm okay with that. 

Until then!

{2013 holiday gift guide: for your dad}

1. For his grill // here
2. For his gadgets // here
3. For his game // here
4. For his suitcase // here
5. For his feet // here

{2013 holiday gift guide: for your girlfriends}

1. For her wrist // here
2. For her neck // here
3. For her desk // here
4. For her wall // here
5. For her tea // here

{2013 holiday gift guide: for your mom}

1. For her feet // here 

2. For her desk // here

3. For her neck // here

4. For her skin // here

5. For her kitchen // here

{giving tuesday}

Today is #GivingTuesday!

I didn't buy anything on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but I'm giving today.

I donated to two charities that I believe in:

The Celiac Disease Foundation is a non-profit, public benefit corporation dedicated to providing services and support regarding celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis, through programs of awareness, education, advocacy and research. 

I have had celiac disease for almost five years. It took four years to diagnose. As I'm typing this blog post, I'm in pain. It isn't often that I feel the effects of celiac, but when I do, it brings me right back to those years of doctor appointments, random symptoms, and suffering. I don't take my diagnosis lightly; I am so careful about how I cook my food, how the food I eat is prepared, and how to limit cross contamination. I don't know what I ate in the past few days that's making me feel this way, but I'm so glad that I at least know what's wrong. I hate the fact that there are millions of people out there who are in pain and have no idea what's going on inside their body; people who have no idea how to make themselves feel better. There's a lot of misinformation out there about celiac and gluten intolerance and if it's a fad or diet or a legitimate disorder. I'll be a lifelong advocate of this (real) disease and supporter of any organization that is committed to offering services, spreading awareness, and conducting research for celiac disease. That's why I donated to this foundation. 

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.

Cancer runs in my family. It has brought us closer, it has reminded us to live each day to the fullest, and it has taught us to tell people you love them. It has made me appreciate people more. Some of my family has beat the odds, while others have sadly succumbed to the disease. So I donated for them. In honor of my grandmother, who is now cancer-free after living with Stage IV colon and liver cancer. In honor of my grandfather, who is now in remission after battling colon, prostate, and bladder cancer. In remembrance of my aunt, who lost her fight against a rare form of cancer in February. And in remembrance of one of my favorite teachers, who lost his fight against cancer a few years ago. 

There are so many charities that need our help. Please visit the #GivingTuesday website to learn more or donate to a charity of your choice today. 

And help spread the word!!

{thanksgiving photos + gf apple crisp}

The day before Thanksgiving, we walked around Laguna Beach for a bit.

The weather was 70 & sunny. Oh, it was amazing. 

Thanksgiving day was low key & perfect.

In the morning I went for a long run & then went swimming!  {a Thanksgiving first for me.}

In the afternoon we watched football, finished cooking, 

& engaged in a photo war with the rest of the family on the East Coast. 

It was hilarious & epic & a great way to feel like we were all together.

Our pretty table:

The spread! 

{minus a few key entrées...}

^^Brussel sprouts are probably my favorite food. I'm obsessed. 

These were roasted with a little lemon & honey. SO GOOD.

^^My apple crisp before it went in the oven. Look at all that topping. Yum.

^^Baked to perfection!

This was one of the easiest desserts I've ever baked, 

& one of the most delicious. 

I'm not a baked fruit/pie/crumb/crisp person…

but this was unreal.

It was also voted the best dessert of the night…by every single person.

& they don't even have Celiac. 

Let that sink in for a second.

BONUS--there was no sugar added! {besides a bunch of honey, but let's not count that.}

Here's how to make it.

Two musts: 

1) Serve it with vanilla ice cream. 

2) Eat the leftovers for breakfast.

I'll be making it again for Christmas, so East Coast folks…get ready!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!